5 Foods to Lower Cholesterol Levels

5 Foods to Lower Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol levels pose a serious health risk. It can lead to heart problems, and it is important to reduce cholesterol levels. Certain foods can be beneficial in keeping cholesterol under control. The article lists five foods to eat when you have high cholesterol.

Legumes
One of the most healthy foods to eat when you have high cholesterol is legumes. These food products, known as pulses, include beans, lentils, and peas. These foods are tasty, filling, and are rich in fiber. When you eat food with more fiber, it helps you reduce bad cholesterol.

Studies have shown that people who consumed at least 100g of pulses daily could reduce bad cholesterol by 6.6 mg/dl on average.

Whole grain
Whole grain is rich in insoluble fiber that can help reduce LDL cholesterol. Oatmeal is a great whole grain, and it is a good way to start the day by having oatmeal with fruits. It is a filling breakfast that is particularly good for people who have high LDL (bad) cholesterol.

It can give up to 5 gm of fiber when eaten with fruits. Barley is another whole grain that helps to reduce bad cholesterol. Oat bran is another good option for those with high cholesterol.

Omega-3 fatty acids
One of the great foods that people with high cholesterol can consume is having Omega-3 fatty acids. Foods with healthy fats provide multiple health benefits. They help to increase HDL cholesterol, which is good cholesterol. Having higher good cholesterol can help in managing cholesterol more effectively.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, trout, and sardines. Nuts like walnuts and Brazil nuts are also rich in Omega-3 that helps to improve heart health.

Avocado
Avocado is considered as a superfood that provides multiple health benefits. They have fiber and monounsaturated fat. Both of these are good for people with high cholesterol. It gives the double benefit of reducing bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol.

Studies have shown that overweight people experience significant health benefits if they eat just one avocado per day. It helps in improving cholesterol levels, which are good for health.

Garlic
One of the best foods for people with high cholesterol is garlic. This is a common spice used for cooking. It can be eaten raw. Studies have shown that consuming two or three garlic pods a day is good for the heart.

It can help reduce bad cholesterol, as well as total cholesterol levels. It is also useful in lowering blood pressure. Garlic can be taken as a supplement. It contains an alkaloid called allicin that provides the medicinal effects.

The above-mentioned foods help lower cholesterol levels and help maintain overall health because of their benefits. You can include these foods in your diet if your cholesterol levels are worrying you.